Irish constitutional experts typically don’t focus on the world of mixed martial arts. However, this habit was broken earlier this month when UFC champion Conor McGregor stated on X platform that he’s the “only reasonable candidate” for Ireland’s forthcoming presidential role.
McGregor voiced his plan to utilise the position to hold politicians accountable to Ireland’s populace. He even added that, if needed, he wouldn’t hesitate to disband the Dáil entirely if their responses dissatisfied.
This sparked intense discussion amongst the country’s prime constitution specialists via a WhatsApp group. They scrutinised McGregor’s extensive interpretation of presidential jurisdiction, and the response wasn’t favourable.
Amidst the flurry of reactions, the experts universally agreed that McGregor’s understanding of the constitution was, to say it politely, direly lacking. Tom Hickey, an associate professor in constitutional law at Dublin City University revealed that the sports star appears to have grievously misunderstood Article 13.2.1, which indicates that the President has the authority to convene and disband the Dáil, but solely under the counsel of the Taoiseach.
Hickey elaborated that McGregor seems to have read only half the clause and neglected the latter six words. The critical point being the clear absence of the president’s own power to summon and dissolve the Dáil.
Other Irish critics also had apathetic reactions, adding that getting the necessitated signatures of 20 members of the Oireachtas or the backing of four local authorities for a nomination would be a challenging task for the MMA fighter, should he run.
On the contrary, the international response was largely positive with news channel CBS in the US stating, “Conor McGregor may assume Ireland’s presidency before returning to UFC”. Forbes suggested his chances of becoming President were higher than him securing another UFC title.
Elon Musk, the renowned billionaire, responded with a single word, “Brilliant”.
Notorious web influencer Andrew Tate, famed for his pending trials in Romania on allegations of human trafficking and sexual assault, claims to possess an Irish passport and has pledged his vote to McGregor, given his presidential bid (elections in Ireland can only be participated in by Irish residents). The upcoming Irish presidential elections are set to occur in the coming year.
Question marks hang over whether McGregor’s declaration is a mere show, a public relations manoeuvre for his myriad enterprises, or a sincere intention to dive into electoral politics. There is, however, no doubt that he has recently projected himself as a populist reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump, unhesitatingly endorsing right-wing rhetoric and anti-immigration attitudes, while proclaiming to represent overlooked citizens.
Publicly, McGregor has referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as “one of our era’s greatest leaders” and Trump as one of the U.S.’s all-time best presidents. He believes Ireland is “in conflict” and advocates the demolition of structures allocated for asylum seeker housing.
Despite his ties with Philip Sutcliffe, it seems improbable that McGregor can bank on the backing of Independent Ireland if he contemplates a presidential run. Sources report of his unpublicised involvement in Irish politics, ahead of the previous local elections, urging several allies to campaign against immigration.
One of the individuals approached by McGregor was Philip Sutcliffe, an ex-Olympic boxer. Sutcliffe, who intermittently provides coaching for McGregor’s pre-fight drills at Crumlin Boxing Club, was convinced to contested for the Dublin City Council just over a month before election day.
Sutcliffe ran in two constituencies under the banner of Independent Ireland, a freshly established political party, and earned a seat in the Ballyfermot/Drimnagh ward with 6.7% of initial-preference votes.
Since taking office last June, Sutcliffe has unofficially partnered with other politicians who campaigned against immigration and won their seats. He has also propagated untruths about anti-immigrant demonstrations. In a July meeting, he was the sole member of the council’s southern central area committee who didn’t support a resolution criticising arson attacks on an erstwhile Crown Paints factory in Coolock, north of Dublin, which was set aside for accommodation of asylum seekers.
Sutcliffe declined to uphold numerous attempts to secure his comments, but he did speak up at a committee hearing, decrying violence towards the Irish police and firefighters. However, he made an unverified statement, asserting that police officers had incited their own patrol cars, leading to stern denunciations from other committee members.
One of the attendees at the hearing described the incident as strange and reminiscent of the American President Donald Trump.
Regardless of Sutcliffe’s connection with McGregor, it’s doubtful that Independent Ireland will back McGregor should he decide to pursue presidency.
A party representative who preferred anonymity said, “I wouldn’t vote for him. He’s not involved with the party leadership. Phil is known to him through boxing.”
McGregor is known for his outspoken criticism of politicians on social media platforms, and he has also privately reached out to high-ranking government officials regarding his concerns.
In recent years, top security officials from the Irish police force and Defence Services have sporadically been the recipients of emails from McGregor, expressing his concerns over immigration issues. These correspondences occasionally alluded to an impending ‘invasion’, as per insiders who are privy to his contacts.
Neither McGregor’s management company nor his Irish lawyer, Graham Kenny, responded to requests for McGregor’s comments.
Prior to 2020, there’s little evidence of McGregor’s political inclinations based on his social media footprint, much of which has since been deleted. Following criticism due to his wearing of a Remembrance Day poppy in 2015, McGregor expressed his apathy towards politics and religion via a tweet.
This sentiment changed amidst the onset of Covid-19 when McGregor felt the government’s precautionary measures to be too relaxed. He urged Paschal Donohoe, the then Minister of Finance, to increase patrolling for effective enforcement of the lockdown. As the pandemic progressed, McGregor’s views evolved into an anti-establishment stand, occasionally sprinkled with conspiracy theories.
In November 2022, after the initiation of protests against asylum seeker accommodation in East Wall, Dublin, McGregor showed his support for the protesters.
The extreme nature of his stance on immigration was fully revealed after a year’s time. “Never allow an Irish property to be taken without any prior notice. Liquidate the same. It’s a battle,” he shared on X in November 2023.
On the advent of civil unrest in Dublin on November 23rd, McGregor expressed “As you sow, so shall you reap,” in response to the violence and pillaging that erupted in the heart of the city. He subsequently passed a judgment on the turmoil.
His remarks were lauded by extreme-right campaigners in the United States and Britain. Digitally manipulated images that portrayed McGregor wielding a machine gun and posing against a blazing bus background gained significant traction on the internet.
McGregor’s provocative statements caught the attention of Gardaí officers, assigned to scrutinize social media content of far-right figures alleged of inciting the unrest. Despite early indications, the investigation yielded no actions as McGregor’s comments were deemed not to fit into the criteria of criminality.
Around this time, encouraged by Musk and other influential personalities, McGregor started to float the idea of a potential run for Áras an Uachtaráin. In the months that followed, he opposed the Government’s failed hate speech legislation and advocated for a No vote in the family and care referendums.
However, political pursuits were soon relegated to the background as McGregor’s focus shifted towards endorsing his whiskey and stout brands and gearing up for his intended UFC rematch against Michael Chandler.
His comeback fight is now deferred till the following year, suggesting that he might be nearing the end of his athletic career. The possibility of a presidential run seems higher although it’s a steep hill to climb even if he secures a nomination.
The only believable survey conducted by the Sunday Independent that solicited views about a McGregor candidacy post the Dublin unrest, showed his support at a mere 8 per cent.
While this limited backing may not secure him the presidency, McGregor’s wealth and popularity indicate that he will be a formidable influence in shaping Ireland’s escalating anti-immigration sentiment in the future.